G/TBT/N/USA/1746  
8 July 2021  
(21-5400) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA   
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:  Federal Communications Commission (FCC) [1776]  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated  if different from above:   
Please submit comments to: USA WTO TBT Enquiry Point, Email: usatbtep@nist.gov  
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Automatic 
identification system channels; Radiocommunications (ICS 33.060), Mobile services 
(ICS 33.070)  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Automatic 
Identification System Channels (9 page(s), in English)  
6. Description of content:  Proposed rule - In this document, a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM)  adopted by the Federal Communications C ommission (Commission) 
fulfils the Commission's statutory duty pursuant to Section 8416 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which directs the Commission to initiate a 
rulemaking proceeding by 30 June 2021 to consider whether to authorize devices used to 
mark fishing equipment for use on Automatic Identification System (AIS) channels. This 
document seeks comment on the extent to which the 1900 -2000 kHz band is used to 
support fishing operations, the extent of unauthorized deployme nt of devices used to 
mark fishing equipment using AIS technology on AIS channels, and whether to authorize 
devices used to mark fishing equipment for use on current AIS channels. In addition, the 
NPRM explores whether 160.900 MHz is a viable alternative f or devices used to mark 
fishing equipment. In the event the Commission were to authorize devices used to mark 
fishing equipment to use AIS channels or 160.900 MHz, the NPRM seeks comment on 
whether there are technical and operational constraints that could  be imposed to maintain 
maritime safety and protect incumbents. Finally, the NPRM seeks comment on a consumer 
labeling approach for authorized equipment to provide consumers guidance on whether 
the equipment being purchased complies with both the Coast Gua rd's and the 
Commission's rules.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Consumer information, labelling; Protection of human health or safety; 
Harmonization  G/TBT/N/USA/1746  
 
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  8. Relevant documents:   
• 86 Federal Register (FR) 35700, 7 July 2021; Title 47 Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) Part 90:  
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2021-07-07/html/2021 -14362.htm  
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2021-07-07/pdf/2021 -14362.pdf  
The filing is available online from the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System at 
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/06160133805919 ; this is a summary of the Commission's 
Notice of Pro posed Rulemaking (NPRM) in WT Docket No. 21 -230, FCC 21 -69 adopted on 
15 June 2021 and released on 16 June 2021. The full text of this document, including all 
Appendices, is available for public inspection on the Commission's website at 
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC -21-69A1.pdf . The earlier posted Public 
Notice is accessible from https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/0527095713461/DA -21-613A1.pdf . 
Both of these documents are accessible from the FCC's Electronic Document Management 
System (EDOCS) at: https://www.fcc.gov/edocs/search -results?t=quick&dockets=21 -
230. 
WTO Members and their stakeholders are asked to submit comments to the USA TBT 
Enquiry Point . Comments received within the comment period will be submitted to the 
FCC at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings  if received within the comment period.  
9. Proposed date of adoption:  To be determined  
Proposed date of entry into force:  To be determined  
10. Final date for comments:  6 August 2021; Interested parties may file comments on or 
before 6 August 2021; and reply comments on or before 7 September 2021.  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2021/TBT/USA/21_4545_00_e.pdf